Supporter for boots or shoes



(No Model.)

0. PROUTY. I

I SUPPORTBR FOR BOOTS 0R SHOES. 7

No. 379,980. Patented Mar. 27,1888.

wiimqwaebg a O rm/YW abll o'oweq UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER PROUTY, OF GALETON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SUPPORTER FOR BOOTS OR SHQES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,980,6ated March 27, 1888.

4 Application filed January 20, 1888. Serial No. 261,407. (No model.)

' specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to supporters for boots or shoes; and its objects are, first to obviate the tendency to run the heel off on one side, second, to support the foot in an upright position; third, to counteract the formation of crooked ankles; fourth, to prolong the'life of a shoe or boot so provided, and, fifth, to-attain these ends with structural simplicity or economy. I attain these purposes by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents the inner side of the inner sole of a boot or shoe provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my improvement. Fig. 3 indicates a plan view of my device,'and Fig. 4 is a vertical section thereof on the line 3 y of Fig. 3.

The same designations indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

To the inner sole, A, of a boot or shoe provided with an upper, B, and a counter, O, I secure, by nailing, pegging, or sewing through the means of perforations G G G, the device D, so that the bifurcated prongs D' D shall be under the ball of the foot, and thus by its resiliency and elasticity assist the motion of walking. The shank F is pegged or sewed on both sides of the shank of the shoe or boot by means of perforations G, while the terminal uprights F F run on each side of the counter next to the sole-leather, between the counter and the upper, and go across the heel, where they are clinched.

The device is preferably made of good steel with spring temper, the two prongs areto be thick at the crotch and taper toward the points, so as to secure pliability, and the shank is to be thicker in the center than at the ends.

Inasmuch as the heel and counter are made stifferthan customarily, the tendency to run the heel down is neutralized and additional strength is imparted to the foot,which greatly aids those troubled with weak or crooked ankles. The'invention thus inevitably results in subjecting the boot 0r shoe to less. strain, and hence its life is greatly prolonged.

Having thus fully described my improvements, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. As an improved article of manufacture, the bifurcated strip D, having prongs D D and an integral shank, F, provided with perpendicular uprights F, and havinga series of V clinched under the heel, the whole co-operating as and for the purpose herein set'forth,

and in the manner illustrated and specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHESTER PBOUTY'.

Witnesses:v e

- CHAS. W. BAILEY,

M. 0. BROWN. 

